{"id":2329730,"date":"2024-08-23T03:41:01","date_gmt":"2024-08-23T07:41:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/everyone-is-better-off-when-people-make-family-a-priority\/"},"modified":"2024-08-23T03:46:20","modified_gmt":"2024-08-23T07:46:20","slug":"everyone-is-better-off-when-people-make-family-a-priority","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/everyone-is-better-off-when-people-make-family-a-priority\/","title":{"rendered":"Everyone Is Better Off When People Make Family A Priority"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Feveryone-is-better-off-when-people-make-family-a-priority%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2329730&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A recent Pew Research\u2064 Center survey indicates that America may\u200c be on the path to becoming\u200d a majority-childless society,\u200d with significant implications for both individuals and the nation. The survey revealed that 47% of Americans under 50 do\u200c not plan to have children, a rise of 10% since five years ago. Many individuals cite \u2064the benefits of \u2062a\u2063 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/those-dink-videos-are-making-me-so-glad-we-have-six-kids\/\" title=\"The DINK videos make me appreciate our six kids even more\">child-free lifestyle<\/a>, \u2064such as financial \u2062freedom, time for personal interests, and savings for the future. However, \u2063this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/putin-pardons-convicted-murderer-and-cannibal-to-fight-in-ukraine\/\" title=\"Putin pardons murderer and cannibal to fight in Ukraine\">trend raises concerns<\/a> about societal and economic well-being as demographics shift.<\/p>\n<p>The \u2062<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/amid-concerns-about-declining-birth-rates-china-announces-plan-to-reduce-abortions\/\" title=\"Amid Concerns About Declining Birth Rates, China Announces Plan To Reduce Abortions\">declining birth rates<\/a> and growing sentiment against having children could lead to a future marked by loneliness, \u2062particularly among older adults. The author points out that many caregivers presently\u200c tend to aging parents, but future generations without children may face a more isolated\u2063 existence \u200cin their senior years. The article also highlights financial challenges, warning that the Social Security Trust Fund is projected to deplete by 2034, which \u2062could severely reduce \u2062benefits for retirees.\u200b The declining ratio \u200bof workers to \u2064retirees compounds these issues, creating an urgent need for society to reconsider \u200bits stance on family and child-rearing.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Will America become a majority-childless society? A new Pew Research Center&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pewresearch.org\/social-trends\/2024\/07\/25\/the-experiences-of-u-s-adults-who-dont-have-children\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">survey<\/a> suggest&nbsp;that sadly may be the case. Such a direction would have alarming consequences for not just individuals but also for our nation.<\/p>\n<p>When Pew asked Americans younger than 50 if they ever plan to have children, 47 percent&mdash;one-half of those polled&mdash;said &ldquo;no.&rdquo; That&rsquo;s up 10 percent from just five years before. In fact, of those younger than 50, 57 percent said they never wanted to have children, even if they ended up doing so.<\/p>\n<p>The reasons why? Pew writes: &ldquo;Not having kids has made it easier for them to afford the things they want, have time for hobbies and interests, and save for the future.&rdquo; But what kind of future are they saving for? It will quite likely be a lonely one.<\/p>\n<p>The anti-child mindset, coupled with record-low fertility rates, is making the statement &ldquo;demography is destiny&rdquo; increasingly true. We should all fear that trend as our society ages.<\/p>\n<p>Despite clear dangers to everyone&rsquo;s economic and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/white-house-releases-list-of-president-trumps-accomplishments-and-it-is-historic\/\" title=\"White House Releases List of President Trump\u2019s Accomplishments \u2013  And It Is Historic!\">social security<\/a> when the majority of adults don&rsquo;t marry and have children, when vice-presidential candidate J.D. Vance <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bostonglobe.com\/2024\/07\/30\/opinion\/jd-vance-family-values\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">mentioned<\/a>&nbsp;the government should encourage marriage and families, he quickly faced harsh, mocking objections.&nbsp;Yet <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2024\/08\/05\/opinion\/birthrate-jd-vance-progressives.html\">many believe<\/a> doing so should be a nonpartisan effort that transcends politics and ideologies. I wholeheartedly agree.<\/p>\n<p>I have several friends in their 50s and 60s caring for aging parents in their 80s and 90s. Caregiving is not easy, but my friends do it willingly to honor their parents and the sacrifices they made for them early in life and to make sure that their parents spend their last days being treated with dignity and respect.<\/p>\n<p>Forty to fifty years from now, those presently shunning having children will enter their twilight years. They will not have devoted children to assist with their care, visiting them, and making sure they are treated well.&nbsp;If we think we have an epidemic of loneliness now, especially among older generations, it will be on steroids in another half-century.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, it is now estimated that the Social Security Trust Fund, which relies on younger individuals to pay for those retiring, will run&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2023\/03\/31\/social-security-trust-funds-depletion-date-moves-up-to-2034.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">dry<\/a>&nbsp;by 2034, resulting in benefit cuts of at least 20 percent.<\/p>\n<p>The Social Security Administration saw this coming in 2010, noting trouble ahead in its financial&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/OACT\/TRSUM\/2010\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">report<\/a> because &ldquo;birth rates dropped from three to two children per woman.&rdquo; Previously, there had been a 4 or 5 to 1 ratio between workers paying into the system and retirees taking money out. That ratio has already dropped to almost two-to-one. With even fewer children in the future, the ratio will decrease further.<\/p>\n<p>It is not a coincidence that those older than 50 polled in the survey were extremely worried about having enough money (35 percent), having someone to provide care for them (26 percent), and being lonely (19 percent).&nbsp;These trends will also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/video\/world-baby-shortfall-bad-labor-190124685.html\">exacerbate<\/a> our current issues with labor shortages and inflation as retirees exit the workforce and not enough young workers exist to replace them.<\/p>\n<p>Today&rsquo;s &ldquo;lifestyle choices&rdquo; will become tomorrow&rsquo;s &ldquo;economic crisis&rdquo; as our society ignores the bigger picture while focusing more on self-gratification than the common good. We are whistling past a graveyard that will eventually bury us all socially and economically.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Affording the things we want, having an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-bodys-best-defense-on-overdrive\/\" title=\"The Body\u2019s Best Defense, on Overdrive\">active social life<\/a>, and being successful in our career may sound great when young, but eventually time catches up with us all. When it does, deep and meaningful relationships become increasingly more important than material goods, parties, and career advancement.<\/p>\n<p>As King Solomon wrote at the end of his life in Ecclesiastes 2, &ldquo;I said in my heart, &lsquo;Come now, I will test with pleasure: enjoy yourself &hellip; I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it and behold all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps it is time for our society to heed the words of Solomon and no longer encourage each other to chase pleasure and vanity, but instead to pursue what lasts. That includes the enduring generational bonds between parents and children. That will ultimately provide some of the deep fulfillment we all seek, which can never be created by focusing on self.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p>      Timothy S Goeglein is vice president of Focus on the Family in Washington, and author of the book Toward a More Perfect Union: The Cultural and Moral Case for Teaching the Great American Story (Fidelis, 2023).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Will America transition into a predominantly childless society? A recent survey by the Pew Research Center indicates that this may indeed be the case, which could have troubling implications for both individuals and the nation as a whole. When Pew surveyed Americans under 50 about their plans to have children, 47 percent\u2014half of those questioned\u2014responded with \u201cno.\u201d This figure has risen by 10 percent in just five years. Moreover, among those under 50, 57 percent expressed that they never wanted children, even if they eventually had them.<\/p>\n<p>The reasons behind this trend? According to Pew, many believe that not having kids allows them to afford desired items, pursue hobbies and interests, and save for their future. However, what kind of future are they preparing for? It is likely to be a lonely one.<\/p>\n<p>The prevailing anti-child sentiment combined with historically low fertility rates reinforces the idea that \u201cdemography is destiny.\u201d This trend should concern us all as our population ages. Despite clear risks to economic and social stability when most adults choose not to marry or raise families, vice-presidential candidate J.D. Vance faced ridicule when he suggested that the government should promote marriage and family life. Many argue that such an initiative should transcend political divides\u2014a sentiment I wholeheartedly support.<\/p>\n<p>I know several friends in their 50s and 60s who are caring for aging parents in their late years. While caregiving can be challenging, my friends undertake it willingly out of respect for their parents\u2019 sacrifices during their upbringing; they want to ensure their parents receive dignity in their final days.<\/p>\n<p>In four or five decades from now, those currently opting out of parenthood will find themselves in old age without devoted children available to assist them or visit regularly. If we think loneliness among older generations is an issue now, it will likely escalate dramatically over time.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, projections indicate that the Social Security Trust Fund\u2014which depends on younger workers funding retirees\u2014will deplete its resources by 2034 unless changes occur; this would lead to benefit reductions of at least 20 percent. The Social Security Administration recognized potential problems back in 2010 due to declining birth rates from three children per woman down to two. Previously there was a ratio of four or five workers contributing per retiree drawing benefits; today it\u2019s nearly two-to-one\u2014and expected further declines loom ahead with fewer births anticipated.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s no surprise then that older respondents expressed significant concerns about financial security (35 percent), having someone available for care (26 percent), and feelings of loneliness (19 percent). These trends will worsen existing labor shortages and inflation issues as retirees leave the workforce without enough young people stepping up as replacements.<\/p>\n<p>Current lifestyle choices may seem appealing but could evolve into tomorrow&#8217;s economic crises if society continues prioritizing individual gratification over collective well-being. We risk ignoring larger societal implications while focusing solely on personal desires\u2014a path leading toward social and economic decline.<\/p>\n<p>While enjoying life\u2019s pleasures seems attractive during youth, time inevitably catches up with everyone; at such moments meaningful relationships become far more valuable than material possessions or career success.<br \/>\nAs King Solomon reflected towards life&#8217;s end in Ecclesiastes: despite indulging every pleasure he found ultimately meaningless pursuits devoid of lasting value beneath the sun.<br \/>\nPerhaps it&#8217;s time we heed Solomon&#8217;s wisdom\u2014not encouraging each other towards fleeting pleasures but instead fostering enduring connections between generations which provide true fulfillment unattainable through self-centered pursuits.<br \/>\nTimothy S Goeglein serves as vice president at Focus on the Family based in Washington D.C., authoring &#8220;Toward a More Perfect Union: The Cultural &amp; Moral Case For Teaching The Great American Story&#8221; (Fidelis Publishing)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":594,"featured_media":2329731,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/48134432388_e65f74e960_o.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[5985,3881,10632,18873,9619],"class_list":["post-2329730","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-community","tag-family","tag-priorities","tag-relationships","tag-well-being"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/48134432388_e65f74e960_o.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2329730","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/594"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2329730"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2329730\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2329731"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2329730"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2329730"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2329730"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}